Anonymous wrote:Where I live the answer is never. The city passed a law over 20 years ago no persons under 18 can be in the mall unless accompanied by a parent or another adult.
No exceptions.
But personally, I wouldn't be comfortable letting my kids go there alone. You never know what nasty evil person is prowling for. Lots of serial rapists and killers used/use the malls as their target rich areas. Even with a cell phone I still would not allow it.
It's just not safe.
The statistical likelihood of a stranger abduction is extremely, extremely low. I would not worry about this happening to a teenage girl with her friends at the mall.
I remember being let loose at the mall with my cousins or friends around age 12 or 13. I’d probably do the same with my daughter when she is that age, although I’d probably stick around at the mall if I’m going to drive all the way there (we're in DC ).